One of Huntsville’s favorite fall arts traditions is heading back to the mountain! The Monte Sano Art Festival returns September 19–20, 2026, bringing a full weekend of art, live music, food and beautiful views to Monte Sano State Park.
Presented by Arts Huntsville, the annual festival has been a North Alabama tradition for more than two decades and gives visitors the chance to shop original artwork while spending the day surrounded by the natural beauty of Monte Sano. This year’s festival will feature more than 140 visual artists from across the country, along with local food trucks and two days of live music.
2026 Monte Sano Art Festival
Saturday, September 19
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 20
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Monte Sano State Park
Admission to the festival is free. Monte Sano State Park charges $10 per car for parking or $5 per walk-in festival attendee, cash only, with those funds supporting Alabama’s state parks system.
Explore More Than 140 Artists
Come ready to browse! The 2026 Arts Marketplace brings together more than 140 artists working across a wide variety of mediums, including painting, pottery and clay, jewelry, photography, fiber, glass, sculpture, woodworking, mixed media and more.
Artists are traveling to Huntsville from throughout Alabama and across the country, with creators coming from Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, Connecticut and beyond. Huntsville and North Alabama artists are also well represented throughout the festival.
That variety makes the Monte Sano Art Festival a great opportunity to discover a new favorite artist, add an original piece to your collection or find something completely unexpected for your home.
See the full list of 2026 Monte Sano Art Festival visual artists.
Live Music on the Mountain
The art isn’t the only reason to spend the day on Monte Sano. Live music will be happening throughout both Saturday and Sunday, with performances scheduled at the Pavilion and Lodge.
Saturday’s lineup includes Winslow Davis, Alex Banks, Sylvia Dean, Opera Huntsville, Victoria Greer, Josh Allison, Michael Goldsmith and the Randolph Music Department.
On Sunday, festival goers can hear performances from Alexis Jackson, Carly Little, Brad & Clint, Josh Taylor, the Randolph Music Department, Clara Hopper and Tanya Harris.
With performances spread throughout the day, you can take a break from browsing the artist booths, grab something to eat from one of the local food trucks and enjoy some live music before heading back into the Arts Marketplace.
See the full 2026 Monte Sano Art Festival music schedule.
Make a Day of It
Part art show, part outdoor escape and part live music festival, the Monte Sano Art Festival is an easy way to spend a September weekend in Huntsville.
Whether you’re searching for a statement piece from a regional artist, picking up a handmade gift, discovering a local musician or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy the mountain as fall approaches, there will be plenty to explore throughout the weekend.
The 2026 Monte Sano Art Festival takes place September 19–20 at Monte Sano State Park. Festival admission is free, with parking and walk-in fees collected by the state park.
Find more information about the 2026 Monte Sano Art Festival from Arts Huntsville.
